ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR 27" 2023

A 300Hz IPS panel with elite color accuracy that makes most other gaming monitors look washed out. Skip the OLED hype if you want a bright, burn-in-free screen that's just as fast where it counts.

What surprised us most is how clean the motion handling is, even at the extreme overdrive setting. ASUS's ELMB Sync tech actually works here, letting you run backlight strobing and adaptive sync at the same time without the image turning into a flickering mess. In our database, the color performance sits in the 97th percentile, which is wild for a panel pushing 300Hz. You're getting 97% DCI-P3 coverage and DisplayHDR 600 certification. The HDR isn't going to compete with a good OLED, but it's a noticeable step up from the fake HDR you see on most gaming monitors. The 1ms response time keeps smearing virtually nonexistent, and the input lag feels instantaneous.

The competitive field just got a lot more interesting. The LG UltraGear 45GX950A-B is now in the top 5, and it's a monster ultrawide that makes the ASUS feel small if you want immersion over raw speed. The ASUS ROG Strix XG27UCDMG brings 4K resolution to the table, which is tempting if you have the GPU to push it, but you'll sacrifice the 300Hz refresh rate that makes the XG27AQMR special. The MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 and Samsung Odyssey G60SD are both OLED options that deliver perfect blacks and instant response times, but they come with burn-in risk and lower SDR brightness. The Dell UltraSharp U4025QW is a productivity beast, not a gaming monitor, so it's really for a different buyer entirely. If you're purely a competitive gamer who plays in a bright room and wants zero burn-in anxiety, the ASUS is still the smarter pick. If you crave contrast above all else and don't mind babysitting your display a bit, go OLED.

Pricing is all over the place, ranging from $319 to $500 depending on the vendor. At the low end, this monitor is a steal. At $500, you're getting into OLED territory, which makes it a tougher sell. If you can snag it closer to the $319 mark, you're getting a best-in-class IPS panel for a ridiculous price. Just shop around before you click buy.

The ASUS ROG Strix XG27AQMR is the monitor you buy when you're done messing around. It's a 27-inch 1440p speed demon that hits 300Hz without making you suffer through the usual TN panel compromises. This thing uses a Fast IPS panel, so you get genuinely good colors and viewing angles alongside that blistering refresh rate. The one thing to know? It's one of the absolute best 1440p high-refresh monitors on the market right now, especially if you play competitive shooters but also want your single-player games to look rich and vibrant. Just be ready for a chunky stand and a power brick that could double as a doorstop.

If you're looking for a cinematic, single-player experience in a dark room, this isn't it. Go get an OLED like the MSI MPG 271QRX or the Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 instead. The IPS glow and mediocre HDR blacks will just annoy you when you're trying to get lost in a moody RPG.

The ROG Strix XG27AQMR is the ultimate 1440p IPS gaming monitor for people who refuse to compromise on speed or color. It's a perfect fit for competitive gamers who also do some content creation or just appreciate a beautiful image. The lack of HDMI 2.1 stings a little, and the power brick is a hassle, but the core experience is so good that those complaints fade away once you're in-game. If you find it for under $400, buy it without hesitation.